Adjustable floor bracket article and method

ABSTRACT

A support bracket article for enabling the adjustable positioning of an electrical box enclosure relative to the bottom of a framing member, and the supporting thereof in an interior wall section of a wall system under construction. The article is able to guide the adjustable positioning of the electrical box enclosure. It is also able to accommodate the supporting and adjustable positioning of the electrical box enclosure in a variety of framing studs and wall systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to electrical boxenclosure articles and methods, and, more particularly, to a supportbracket article and method for enabling the adjustable positioning of anelectrical box enclosure relative to the bottom of an interior wallsection framing member.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] Electrical box enclosures are mounted in walls which includeframing members during wall construction in structures. Such electricalbox enclosures have been mounted onto studs in the wall, but it has beena problem to adjust the location of the electrical box enclosurerelative to the position of the studs. They have also been mounted onthe bottom of a framing member, providing additional versatility in thelocation thereof, but adjustment thereof relative to the bottom of theframing member has been difficult.

[0005] Therefore, there has existed a need for an article which is ableto support an electrical box enclosure during wall construction so as toenable the adjustable positioning of the electrical box enclosure inrelation to the bottom of a framing member. The present inventionfulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Briefly, and in general terms, the present invention providesadjustable positioning and supporting of an electrical box enclosure inrelation to the bottom of an interior wall section framing member.

[0007] The article enables an electrical box enclosure to be supportedand adjustably positionable therein during wall construction, relativeto the bottom of a framing member in an interior wall section. Thearticle includes an adjustable positioning enabling section, forenabling the electrical box enclosure to be adjustably positionabletherein. It also includes a supporting section, for supporting theadjustable positioning enabling section.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is that the article providesadjustable portions, for enabling the article to accommodate theadjustable positioning of the electrical box enclosure in wallsconstructed of different types of framing studs.

[0009] Another aspect of the present invention is that the articleprovides portions for guiding the adjustable positioning of theelectrical box enclosure.

[0010] A further aspect of the present invention is that the articleincludes portions for providing support for the electrical box enclosurein various types of wall systems under construction.

[0011] Other features and advantages will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, which describe and illustrate, by way of example,the features of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a support bracket inaccordance with the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a support bracket articleincluding bent portions in accordance with the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a support bracket articleincluding bent portions in accordance with the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a support bracket articleincluding bent and detached portions, and an electrical box enclosuresupported therein, in a stud wall system, in accordance with the presentinvention.

[0016]FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of a bracket extension armsection including a bent portion, of a support bracket article inaccordance with the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a bracket extension armsection of a support bracket article in accordance with the presentinvention.

[0018]FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a bracket extension arm section of asupport bracket article in a stud wall system in accordance with thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Referring to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1-7, thereis shown an article 10, comprising a support bracket, for enabling anelectrical box enclosure 12 (FIG. 4) to be adjustably positionabletherein relative to the bottom of a framing member 14, in an interiorwall section 16 during wall construction.

[0020] The support bracket 10 includes an adjustable positioningenabling section 18 for enabling the electrical box enclosure to beadjustably positionable therein. The adjustable positioning enablingsection 18 includes side positioning portions 20 of the support bracket10, shown in template form in FIG. 1, which are bendable at about ninetydegrees to form a channel guide for the electrical box enclosure 12, asseen in FIG. 4. The side positioning portions 20 each have a slot 22extending therealong, for enabling adjustable positioning of theelectrical box enclosure 12 in the support bracket 10. The slots 22allow for up and down adjustment of the electrical box enclosure 12, aswell as a machine screw attachment of the electrical box enclosure 12 toa floor bracket. The side positioning portions 20 each also includeindicia 24 along the slot 22 therein, for indicating the adjustablepositioning for the electrical box enclosure 12 therein. The electricalbox enclosure 12 includes a pair of sides 26, and a pair of pointers,one on each side, and the indicia 24 in the support bracket 10 arealignable with the pointers on the electrical box enclosure 12 foralignment thereof.

[0021] The support bracket 10 further includes a supporting section 28,for supporting the adjustable positioning enabling section 14. Thesupporting section 28 includes a front portion 30 of the support bracket10. The front portion 30 includes an upper portion 32 and a lowerportion 34, and has an opening 36 for enabling the electrical boxenclosure 12 to be mounted therein. A framing member 14 in an interiorwall section 16 includes one of a plurality of different thicknessframing studs 38.

[0022] The front portion opening 36 of the support bracket 10 includes abottom portion 40, and a bracket extension arm 42 which extends from thelower portion 34 of the support bracket front portion 30 into the bottomportion 40 of the opening 36, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 5-7. The bracketextension arm 42 is bendable, and enables the securing of the supportbracket 10 to one of the plurality of different thickness framing studs38. The bracket extension arm 42 has a slot 44 extending therealong, forenabling a slide type adjustment over the front portion 30 of thesupport bracket 10. The bracket extension arm 42 also includes indicia46 along the slot 44 therein, and elongated side portions 48, which arebendable. The bracket extension arm 42 further includes aseparation-enabling portion 50, for enabling separation thereof from thefront portion 30. The bracket extension arm 42 also includes an endflange 52 which is bendable.

[0023] As depicted in top view in FIG. 7, the end flange 52 of thebracket extension arm 42 is bent approximately ninety degrees after toolforming, to provide a flat surface area for the bracket extension arm42, when pushed against the inside of the interior wall material. Anoverall outside dimension 54 of a pair of finished wall surfaces mayvary depending upon construction plan drawings or specifications for aparticular project. A pair of accessible screws 56 enable adjustment ofthe bracket extension arm 42 within the interior of the wall. The endflange 52 of the bracket extension arm 42 bears against one side whilesupporting the upper portion of the support bracket 10 in stud wallsystems against the exterior of the opposite side. The bracket extensionarm 42 is able to support the upper portion of the support bracket 10 instud wall systems beyond stud wall construction, such as in a staggeredor double wall stud wall system as shown in FIG. 7.

[0024] The lower portion 34 of the front portion 30 of the supportbracket 10 includes a bottom portion 58 which is bendable. The bottomportion 58 includes a separation-enabling portion 60 for enablingseparation of the bottom portion 58 from the front portion 30. Theseparation-enabling portion 60 further comprises a pair of slots 62extending along the bottom portion 58. The lower portion 34 of thesupport bracket front portion 30 further includes a hole 64 for enablingthe securing of the support bracket 10 to the bottom of the framingmember 14. The upper portion 32 of the support bracket front portion 30further includes a top portion 66 which is bendable. The top portion 66includes a plurality of slots 68, each able to receive a cable therein.Each of the plurality of slots 68 is generally u-shaped.

[0025] The front portion 30 of the support bracket 10 also includes anupper support arm 70 which extends from the support bracket upperportion 32 into an upper portion 72 of the support bracket front portionopening 36, which is bendable, and which enables securing thereof to theframing member 14. The upper support arm 70 includes a plurality ofholes 74 therein for enabling the securing thereof to the framing member14. The framing member 14 in the interior wall section 16 includes oneof a plurality of different thickness framing studs 38. The uppersupport arm 70 also includes indicia 76 associated therewith. Theassociated indicia 76 enables the securing of the upper arm support 68to one of the plurality of different thickness framing studs 38. Theupper support arm 68 further includes a strengthening portion 78 forstrengthening the support bracket 10, and an end flange 80 which isbendable.

[0026] The support bracket 10 also includes side tab portions 82 whichenable mounting of the article to the framing member 14. Each side tabportion 82 has a hole 84 therein for enabling mounting of the supportbracket 10 to the framing member 14.

[0027] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-7, in a method for use of the article10, the user may utilize the support bracket 10 to adjustably positionthe electrical box enclosure, by the adjustable positioning enablingsection 18 thereof, and may support the support bracket 10 by thesupporting section 28 thereof.

[0028] Initially the support bracket 10 is a flat template, as shown inFIG. 1, which may be formed by bending the sections thereof. The bottomportion 58 may be bent ninety degrees to form a foot for the supportbracket 10, as seen in FIG. 2. The slots 62 in the bottom portion 58enable the breaking off thereof for the installation of the supportbracket 10 on wood framing, or if the support bracket 10 cannot bepositioned inside the bottom track of a metal stud. The support bracket10 may be secured to the bottom of a framing member through the holes64, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0029] The side positioning portions 20 of the support bracket 10 areable to be bent ninety degrees to form a channel guide for theelectrical box enclosure 12. The slots 22 one on each side of thesupport bracket 10, enable up and down adjustment of the electrical boxenclosure 12, and also enable attachment of the support bracket 10 tothe electrical box enclosure 12 by inserting machine screwstherethrough. The indicia 24 on the side positioning portions 20, suchas tic marks and numbers, indicate the height to the center of theelectrical box enclosure 10 above the finished floor or the top of agrade surface. The electrical box enclosure 12 includes arrow shapedpointers, one on each side thereof and centered, to enable alignment ofthe tic marks on the side positioning portions 20 therewith, for preciseheight adjustment of the electrical box enclosure 12. The opening 36 inthe front portion 30 of the support bracket 10 enables verticaladjustment of the electrical box enclosures 12 while attached to thesupport bracket 10. The side tab portions 82 of the support bracket 10are able to be bent ninety degrees, as indicated in FIG. 2, to enablesecuring of the upper portions 32 of the support bracket 10 to a framingstud 38. The top portion 66 of the support bracket 10 may also be bentninety degrees, and the slots 68 therein enable cables or conduits to besecured therein by crimping together and twisting the ends thereof totie off cables or conduits using hand tools.

[0030] In the upper support armn 70, the holes 74 enable the attachmentof a bracket extension arm 42 thereto by self-tapping fasteners insertedtherethrough. The upper indicia 76 of the upper support arm 70 provide apoint for the installer to bend the upper portion of the upper supportarm 70 ninety degrees for forming thereof for use in the construction ofwalls comprised for example of three-and-one-half inch framing studs.The middle indicia 76 of the upper support arm 70 provide a point forthe installer to bend the upper portion of the upper support arm 70ninety degrees for forming thereof for use in the construction of wallscomprised for example of four inch framing studs. The lower indicia 76of the upper support arm 70 provide a point for the installer to bendthe upper portion of the upper support arm 70 ninety degrees for formingthereof for use in the construction of walls comprised for example offive-and-one-half inch framing studs. The end flange 80 of the uppersupport arm 70 may be bent ninety degrees after forming thereof, for usein the construction of walls comprised for example of six inch framingstuds.

[0031] Strengthening portions 78 of the upper support arm 70 strengthenand enhance the performance characteristics of the support bracket 10.In the bracket arm extension 42, the elongated slot 44 enables thesnapping or breaking off thereof, for use with the upper support arm 70to provide support in interior walls for example of greater than sixinch depth, such as a staggered stud wall system in FIG. 7. Theelongated side portions 48 strengthen the bracket extension arm 42, andthe slot 44 enables slide-type adjustment therealong. The end flange 52may be bent ninety degrees, to provide a flat surface area for thebracket extension arm 42 upon being pushed against the inside of theinterior wall member, so as to press against the interior of one side ofa staggered wall stud system and to support the top portion 66 of theupper support arm 70 against the interior of the opposite side of thestaggered stud wall system. The overall outside dimension 54 of thefinished wall surfaces may vary depending upon the construction plandrawings or specifications of a particular project. The screws 56, whichextend through the slot 44 in the bracket extension arm 42, enableadjustment of the positioning thereof within the wall interior.

[0032] From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the system of thepresent invention provides advantages during wall construction, inenabling the adjustable positioning of an electrical box enclosure inrelation to the bottom of a framing member in an interior wall section.While several particular forms of the invention have been illustratedand described, it will be apparent that various modification can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by thefollowing claims.

1-50. (cancelled).
 51. An article for enabling an electrical boxenclosure to be adjustably positionable therein relative to the bottomof a framing member in an interior wall section during wallconstruction, comprising a support bracket, which comprises: anadjustable positioning enabling section for enabling the electrical boxenclosure to be adjustably positionable therein; a supporting section,for supporting the adjustable positioning enabling section; and side tabportions, adapted to enable mounting of the article to the framingmember.
 52. The article of claim 51, wherein the adjustable positioningenabling section includes side positioning portions of the article whichare adapted to be bendable.
 53. The article of claim 51, wherein thesupporting section includes a front portion of the article.
 54. Thearticle of claim 51, wherein the side tab portions each has a holetherein for enabling mounting of the article to the framing member. 55.The article of claim 53, wherein the front portion has an opening forenabling the electrical box enclosure to be mounted therein.
 56. Thearticle of claim 53, wherein the front portion includes a bottom portionwhich is bendable.
 57. The article of claim 53, wherein the frontportion includes a top portion which is bendable.
 58. The article ofclaim 53, wherein the front portion includes an upper support arm whichis bendable, and which is adapted to enable securing thereof to theframing member.
 59. The article of claim 55, wherein the framing memberin the interior wall section includes one of a plurality of differentthickness framing studs, the article front portion opening includes abottom portion, and the article front portion includes a bracket armextension, which extends from the bottom portion of the front portionopening, and which is bendable and adapted to enable securing of thearticle to one of the plurality of different thickness framing studs.60. The article of claim 56, wherein the bottom portion includes aseparation-enabling portion for enabling separation of the bottomportion from the front portion.
 61. The article of claim 57, wherein thetop portion includes a plurality of slots, each adapted to receive acable therein.
 62. The article of claim 58, wherein the upper supportarm includes a hole therein for enabling securing thereof to the framingmember.
 63. The article of claim 58, wherein the framing member in theinterior wall section includes one of a plurality of different thicknessframing studs, the article upper support arm includes indicia associatedtherewith, and the associated indicia are adapted to enable thepositioning of the upper arm support relative to one of the plurality ofdifferent thickness framing studs.
 64. The article of claim 59, whereinthe bracket arm extension has a slot extending therealong.
 65. Thearticle of claim 59, wherein the bracket arm extension includeselongated side portions.
 66. The article of claim 59, wherein thebracket arm extension includes a separation-enabling portion forenabling separation thereof from the front portion.
 67. The article ofclaim 59, wherein the bracket arm extension includes an end flange whichis adapted to be extendable.
 68. The article of claim 60, wherein theseparation-enabling portion comprises a slot extending along the bottomportion.
 69. The article of claim 61, wherein each of the plurality ofslots is generally unshaped.
 70. The article of claim 63, wherein theupper support arm includes an end flange which is adapted to bebendable.
 71. An article for enabling an electrical box enclosure to beadjustably positionable therein relative to the bottom of a framingmember in an interior wall section during wall construction, comprisinga support bracket, which comprises: adjustable positioning enablingmeans for enabling the electrical box enclosure to be adjustablypositionable in the support bracket; supporting means for supporting theadjustable positioning enabling means; and side tab portions, adapted toenable mounting of the article to the framing member.
 72. A method ofenabling an electrical box enclosure to be adjustably positionabletherein relative to the bottom of a framing member in an interior wallsection during wall construction, in an article comprising a supportbracket, which comprises an adjustable positioning enabling section forenabling the electrical box enclosure to be adjustably positionabletherein, a supporting section, for supporting the adjustable positioningenabling section, and side tab portions, adapted to enable mounting ofthe article to the framing member, wherein the method comprises:adjustably positioning the electrical box enclosure, by the adjustablepositioning enabling section of the support bracket; supporting thesupport bracket adjustable positioning enabling section, by thesupporting section of the support bracket; and mounting the article tothe framing member, by the side tab portions.
 73. The method of claim72, wherein the adjustable positioning enabling section includes sidepositioning portions of the article which are adapted to be bendable,and wherein adjustably positioning further comprises adjustablypositioning by the bendable article side positioning portions.
 74. Themethod of claim 72, wherein the supporting section includes a frontportion of the article, and wherein supporting further comprisessupporting by the article front portion.
 75. The method of claim 72,wherein the side tab portions each has a hole therein for enablingmounting of the article to the framing member, and wherein mountingfurther comprises mounting the article to the framing member by thearticle side tab portions holes.
 76. The method of claim 74, wherein thefront portion has an opening for enabling the electrical box enclosureto be mounted therein, and wherein supporting further comprises mountingthe electrical box enclosure in the article front portion opening. 77.The method of claim 74, wherein the front portion includes a bottomportion which is bendable, and wherein supporting further comprisesmounting the electrical box enclosure in the article front portionopening bendable bottom portion.
 78. The method of claim 74, wherein thefront portion includes a top portion which is bendable, and whereinsupporting further comprises mounting the electrical box enclosure inthe article front portion opening bendable top portion.
 79. The methodof claim 74, wherein the front portion includes an upper support armwhich is bendable, and which is adapted to enable securing thereof tothe framing member, further comprising securing the article to theframing member by the article front portion bendable upper support arm.80. The method of claim 76, wherein the framing member in the interiorwall section includes one of a plurality of different thickness framingstuds, the article front portion opening includes a bottom portion, andthe article front portion includes a bracket arm extension, whichextends from the bottom portion of the front portion opening, and whichis bendable, adapted to enable securing of the article to one of theplurality of different thickness framing studs, further comprisingsecuring the article to one of the plurality of different thicknessframing stubs by the article front portion bendable bracket armextension.
 81. The method of claim 77, wherein the bottom portionincludes a separation-enabling portion for enabling separation of thebottom portion from the front portion, further comprising separating thebottom portion from the front portion, by the bottom portionseparation-enabling portion.
 82. The method of claim 78, wherein the topportion includes a plurality of slots each adapted to receive a cabletherein, and wherein mounting further comprises extending a cablethrough one of the plurality of top portion slots.
 83. The method ofclaim 79, wherein the upper support arm includes a hole therein forenabling securing thereof to the framing member, and wherein securingfurther comprises securing the article to the framing member, by theupper support arm hole.
 84. The method of claim 79, wherein the framingmember in the interior wall section includes one of a plurality ofdifferent thickness framing studs, the article upper support armincludes indicia associated therewith, and the associated indicia areadapted to enable the positioning of the upper arm support relative toone of the plurality of different thickness framing studs, and whereinsecuring further comprises securing the article upper arm support to oneof the plurality of different thickness framing studs, by the articleupper support elongated openings associated indicia.
 85. The method ofclaim 80, wherein the bracket arm extension has a slot extendingtherealong, and wherein securing further comprises securing the articleby the bracket arm extension slot.
 86. The method of claim 80, whereinthe bracket arm extension includes elongated strengthening portions, andwherein securing further comprises securing the article by the bracketarm extension elongated strengthening portions.
 87. The method of claim80, wherein the bracket arm extension includes a separation-enablingportion for enabling separation thereof from the front portion, furthercomprising separating the bracket arm extension from the front portionby the bracket arm extension separation-enabling portion.
 88. The methodof claim 80, wherein the bracket arm extension includes an end flangewhich is adapted to be extendable, further comprising extending thebracket arm extension extendable end flange.
 89. The method of claim 81,wherein the separation-enabling portion comprises a slot extending alongthe bottom portion, and wherein separating further comprises separatingby the separation-enabling portion slot.
 90. The method of claim 82,wherein each of the plurality of slots is generally u-shaped, andwherein extending further comprises extending a cable through one of theplurality of generally u-shaped top portion slots.
 91. The method ofclaim 84, wherein the upper support arm includes an end flange which isadapted to be bendable, and wherein securing further comprises securingby the upper support arm bendable end flange.
 92. A method of enablingan electrical box enclosure to be adjustably positionable thereinrelative to the bottom of a framing member in an interior wall sectionduring wall construction, in an article comprising a support bracket,which comprises adjustable positioning enabling means for enabling theelectrical box enclosure to be adjustably positionable in the supportbracket, and supporting means for supporting the adjustable positioningenabling means, and side tab portions which are adapted to enablemounting of the article to the framing member wherein the methodcomprises: adjustably positioning the electrical box enclosure, by theadjustable positioning enabling means of the support bracket; supportingthe support bracket adjustable positioning enabling section, by thesupporting means of the support bracket; and mounting the article to theframing member, by the side tab portions.